Lone Wolf Unleashed - avoid exhaustion, reclaim your time using tools, systems and AI

Mike Fox

Lone Wolf Unleashed with host Mike Fox, founder of Action Advisory, provides practical solutions for business owners overwhelmed by administrative tasks and seeking more personal time. Rather than endorsing impractical hype, the podcast focuses on actionable steps and frameworks to help entrepreneurs streamline their operations without compromising growth. Expect candid discussions, dark humor, and tools to eliminate bottlenecks, aiming to help listeners reclaim their time and improve work-life balance.

  1. 1D AGO

    How To Build a Business Dashboard to Measure Sales Pipeline Metrics

    Most people building dashboards start in the wrong place. They worry about charts, colours, and layouts — when the real work happens long before any of that. Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed." In this episode, I walk you through what actually needs to happen before a dashboard can tell you anything useful. Drawing on a real client scenario — a growing business moving from a file-based system to a CRM — I break down the data foundations you need in place first. We cover the sales pipeline as the most logical starting point, why tracking inquiry-to-answer time can expose problems you didn't know you had, and how a shorter sales cycle directly improves your cash flow. I also explain why starting manually — before you automate anything — is the right call, and how to keep your data ecosystem simple enough to actually maintain. If you've been thinking about dashboards, a new CRM, or just getting better visibility over what's happening in your business, this one lays the groundwork. 📥 Resources and tools mentioned: lonewolfunleashed.com/resources Timestamped summary: 0:00 — Why visuals are the last thing to worry about 1:38 — Dashboards start with data 2:29 — Sales pipeline metrics 4:51 — Tracking DocuSign and sales cycle completion 6:20 — Why you should start manually before automating 7:30 — Connecting systems: APIs and AI agents 9:00 — Keep your data ecosystem simple 10:53 — Dashboard filters, date ranges, and wrap-up

    13 min

  2. MAR 16

    How I Use Anthropic Claude to Build SOPs My Team Can Follow

    Writing procedures has always been the part of business systemisation that nobody wants to do. It's time-consuming, it's dry, and most of the time what you end up with is a document that's too vague for anyone to actually follow. Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed." In this episode, I walk you through the Claude SOP skill I've built inside my Obsidian workspace — a five-stage framework that takes raw inputs (a description, a transcript, some rough notes) and produces a complete, high-fidelity standard operating procedure that a delegate can follow without asking you a single question. I cover the five workflow stages: scoping the task, gathering raw materials, building the procedure, running quality checks, and presenting the document for review. I also walk through a real example — the webinar setup procedure I built for my wife, who's just joined the business — and share how the same approach produced a 148-page procedure for a client that was 85% accurate straight out of the gate. If you're ready to start handing work off to other people, this is where you start. Visit lonewolfunleashed.com/resources to find more useful help. Mentioned in this episode: You might also like... Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/ This podcast is part of the Podknows Podcasting ICN Network

    22 min
  3. The 3-Layer Business Org Structure Every Solo Founder Needs Before They Hire!

    MAR 9

    The 3-Layer Business Org Structure Every Solo Founder Needs Before They Hire!

    Most solo founders think an org chart doesn't apply to them — because it's just them. In this episode, I'm going to change your mind on that. Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed." In this episode I'm breaking down the three layers of work that exist in every business — Run, Serve, and Change — and explaining why understanding them now, before you hire your first person, could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in wasted productivity down the track. The biggest mistake I see solo founders make isn't hiring too early. It's handing off the wrong layer of work first. When your frontline people are forced to make structural decisions on the fly — decisions that should already be defined for them — everything slows down, errors creep in, and you end up taking the work back and doing it yourself. Sound familiar? Getting your structure right isn't corporate overhead. It's the foundation that makes every future hire, every automation, and every AI implementation actually work. What you'll learn: What Run, Serve, and Change actually mean — and why all three exist in your business right nowWhy collapsing these layers together is silently costing you time and moneyHow to make compliance and standards the default, not an afterthoughtWhy the serve layer is the business owner's real job — and why you can't delegate it yetHow this framework protects your profit as you scale from solo operator to a team If you've ever hired someone and ended up taking the work back because it was "just easier," this episode will show you exactly why that happened. The link to the tool I mention: https://synexia.au/ Connect with me: lonewolfunleashed.com Mentioned in this episode: You might also like... Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/

    17 min
  4. AI Bros on LinkedIn Suggesting You Replace Your Team? Here's Why That's Terrible Advice

    MAR 2

    AI Bros on LinkedIn Suggesting You Replace Your Team? Here's Why That's Terrible Advice

    I've had enough of the AI Bros on LinkedIn — and in this episode, I'm calling them out. Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed." In this episode I'm taking direct aim at the wave of self-proclaimed 'gurus' claiming to have fired their entire operations teams overnight and replaced them with AI bots. It's hype. It's harmful. And if you follow that advice, it could wreck your business. Instead, I walk you through the measured, methodical approach that actually works: document your processes first, iterate one small change at a time, test discreetly, and never forget that people do business with people — not bots. AI is a powerful tool. But it is not a replacement for human judgment, creativity, or the relationships that keep clients coming back. This episode gives you a grounded framework and the confidence to adopt AI the right way. What you'll learn: Why the 'fire your team, hire AI' advice is dangerous and ethically wrongHow documentation is the non-negotiable first step before any AI implementationWhy I recommend changing one small thing at a time — never entire workflows at onceThe irreplaceable role of human connection in sales and client retentionHow to spot the real difference between AI hype and genuine productivity improvement If you've been tempted by the 'automate everything' crowd, this episode will set you straight. Connect with me: lonewolfunleashed.com Mentioned in this episode: You might also like... Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/

    14 min
  5. The 5P Framework: How to Build an AI Backlog for Your Solo Business

    FEB 23

    The 5P Framework: How to Build an AI Backlog for Your Solo Business

    Most solo founders want to use AI to save time — but have no idea where to start. In this episode, Mike breaks down his 5P Framework: a step-by-step documentation system that helps you build an AI backlog so you can hand off the right tasks to AI and automation with confidence. Here's what we cover: → Why listing tasks randomly won't build a scalable AI system → The 5Ps: Persona, Profile, Process, Procedure, Performance → How to map your business on one page using the Profile method → Breaking processes down into procedures that AI can actually act on → The Time Flux Method — a calendar audit that reveals hidden automation wins → A real example: automating podcast prep to save 10–15 minutes a week (that stacks up fast) This isn't about chasing the latest AI tools. It's about building the foundation that makes every AI tool work better for your business — and getting your hours back so you can live on your terms. 🔗 Resources & Wolf Pack program: lonewolfunleashed.com

    13 min
  6. The 3 Layers Every AI Agent Needs

    FEB 16

    The 3 Layers Every AI Agent Needs

    Most people are still using AI like a chatbot. They're leaving capability on the table. Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed." In this episode, I break down the three layers that separate a chatbot from an actual agent — one that can do your work, not just talk about it. You'll learn the exact framework for building AI agents that integrate with your tools, follow your workflows, and operate with the right context: Layer 1 — Connections: How to give your AI "hands" to reach into task managers, calendars, and documents. Mike covers MCP (Model Context Protocol), GPT actions, and practical integration methods across ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot. Layer 2 — Playbooks: Teaching your AI your specific workflows. How to write procedures it can follow, set safety rails, and define step-by-step processes. Includes a worked example of automating daily standups. Layer 3 — Identity: Defining who your AI agent is. The four components (role, directives, knowledge domain, routing) that turn generic AI into a specialist that knows when to push back and when to execute. I'll share real examples from my own setup: Claude connected to Obsidian for automated note-taking, Asana for task management, and GoHighLevel for pipeline tracking. You'll see how I've eliminated manual work while maintaining control. This builds on the previous episode "Make Tasks Easy with AI Agents" — listen to that one first if you're just getting started. Whether you're using ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI tool, this episode gives you the structure to move from assistant to agent. 🔗 Lone Wolf Unleashed site – https://lonewolfunleashed.com Mentioned in this episode: You might also like... Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/

    17 min
  7. The Handoff Problem That Slows Every Business Down

    FEB 9

    The Handoff Problem That Slows Every Business Down

    Most people think work falls through the cracks because people are busy, distracted, or unreliable. More tools. More check-ins. More chasing. This episode doesn’t blame people. It points to something simpler. The handoff. When work moves from one task to the next. From one person to another. From “done” to “ready for the next step”. That moment is where most businesses slow down. Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed." In this episode, I break down why communication is not a separate task, and why if you’re not communicating, you’re not actually performing the work. I explain how processes really work in the real world, why handoffs matter more than individual tasks, and how unclear expectations quietly destroy speed, trust, and cash flow, even in small, well-run businesses. Using everyday examples and client scenarios, I show how missed handoffs force unnecessary follow-ups, extend cycle times, and keep founders stuck managing instead of moving forward. This isn’t about more meetings. And it’s not about micromanagement. It’s about designing your processes so the right thing is with the right person at the right time, without chasing. We cover: Why communication is part of performance, not an extra responsibility What a handoff actually is and why it’s the weakest point in most processes How poor handoffs increase cycle time and hurt cash flow Why founders struggle when hiring their first team member How to set clear communication expectations inside your processes What to document alongside tasks so work keeps moving without follow-up The payoff is simple. Less chasing. Less managing. Less work falling through the cracks. You spend less time checking in and more time executing. That’s how you free yourself up without growing a business you don’t want to manage. And that’s how Lone Wolf Unleashed helps you build systems that give you back time, clarity, and control. Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Why work really falls through the cracks 00:48 A simple example of how processes break 02:23 Why communication equals performance 03:45 Cycle time, speed, and cash flow 04:30 A real example of a missed handoff 06:24 Why the handoff matters more than the task 06:50 Hiring, trust, and communication expectations 07:50 Reducing management time without micromanaging 08:48 Designing processes that actually flow Links: 🔗 Lone Wolf Unleashed site – https://lonewolfunleashed.com Mentioned in this episode: You might also like... Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/

    12 min
  8. Before You Automate Anything, Do THIS One Thing

    FEB 2

    Before You Automate Anything, Do THIS One Thing

    Most people think saving time in their business means automation, software, or hiring help. New tools. New systems. More complexity. This episode doesn’t do that. Because the fastest win is simpler. Stop rewriting the same things. Standardise what doesn’t need thinking. Get your evenings back. Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed." In this episode, I break down why templates are one of the most underused tools for solo operators and small teams, and how they quietly unlock massive time savings without automation or extra staff. I walk through real examples from client work, including how a single report template cut review time from an hour to fifteen minutes, reduced caseloads, and delivered a 422% productivity increase. This isn’t about bureaucracy. And it’s not about making work soulless. It’s about doing the thinking once, so you don’t have to keep doing it every day. We cover: Why templates matter more than process maps or procedures How to identify what should be standard and what should stay custom Simple ways to structure templates so they’re fast to use, not annoying Why templates are the foundation for automation, not the other way around How AI can help you build templates quickly without overengineering The payoff is straightforward. You stop starting from scratch. You copy, paste, and change the few things that actually matter. That’s how you reduce admin without building a bigger business than you want. And that’s how Lone Wolf Unleashed helps you switch off sooner and live larger. Chapters/Timestamps00:00 Why templates deserve more attention 01:19 Why templates matter more than process documents 02:37 A real example of time saved with a single report template 05:04 What should and shouldn’t be standardised 05:40 Templates vs automation, and why order matters 07:17 Using AI to spin up practical templates quickly 08:51 How to design templates so they’re fast to fill out 10:06 Choosing your first task to templatise Links:🔗 Lone Wolf Unleashed site – https://lonewolfunleashed.com Mentioned in this episode: You might also like... Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/

    13 min
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Lone Wolf Unleashed with host Mike Fox, founder of Action Advisory, provides practical solutions for business owners overwhelmed by administrative tasks and seeking more personal time. Rather than endorsing impractical hype, the podcast focuses on actionable steps and frameworks to help entrepreneurs streamline their operations without compromising growth. Expect candid discussions, dark humor, and tools to eliminate bottlenecks, aiming to help listeners reclaim their time and improve work-life balance.

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